Baby bottle and accessory holding device

ABSTRACT

A device for releasably holding a baby accessory, such as a baby bottle, includes a flexible arm having a clamp attached to one end thereof for engagement with an existing object. A magnetic or metal member is attached to the arm generally opposite the clamp for magnetically coupling with a magnetic or metal member associated with the baby bottle or accessory. The magnetic or metal member may be fixed to the baby accessory, or fixed to a support configured to removably hold the baby accessory therein. The magnetic coupling withstands most common usage, while being easily broken by the infant to avoid choking.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/382,809, filed May 23, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to baby bottles and accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a baby bottle holder and feeder which can be clamped to an object adjacent to the baby at one end thereof and releasably hold a bottle at the other end thereof in order to permit unattended feeding of the baby, or support to another baby accessory.

[0003] Infants and older babies are often bottle fed with breast milk, formula, juice and the like. Particularly for infants and young babies who are unable to hold the bottle, this requires that the parent or caretaker hold the bottle in the baby's mouth until either the contents of the bottle are consumed or the infant becomes full. It will be appreciated that a single feeding can take ten or fifteen minutes, or even more, before the contents of the bottle are consumed or the baby is full. Holding the bottle in the same position during this time can become quite tiresome for the parent or caretaker.

[0004] There are instances when the act of holding the bottle erect and in a single position is not only tiresome, but inconvenient or nearly impossible. For example, when traveling in a car all passengers are buckled into their respective seats, and the infant is usually secured within a baby car seat or carrier, making it difficult to safely hold the bottle for the baby unless the passenger is sitting directly adjacent to the baby or recklessly unbuckles his or her seat belt to position himself or herself adjacent to the baby. Also, during time periods when the baby is being transported by a hand-held baby carrier, stroller or the like, one must stop to feed the baby if the baby becomes irritated or hungry.

[0005] The use of baby bottles holders and feeders is known in the prior art. More specifically, baby bottle holders and feeders heretofore devised and utilized for holding a baby bottle in a position for substantially unattended feedings are known but are either complicated and expensive, or pose a safety hazard to the baby. It is known that it is a natural reflex for an infant to either turn its head or push a nipple out of its mouth when finished feeding or when the infant is choking. Such prior art baby bottle holders are generally adequate for holding a bottle in position, or allowing an older baby or young child to move the baby bottle holder, but are not designed for infants and small babies which are choking or no longer desire to feed.

[0006] Baby bottle holders and feeders are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,075 to Ible discloses such a baby bottle holder comprised of two clamps attached to ends of an articulating arm. One of the clamps includes generally circular extensions for holding a bottle therebetween. Although Ible contemplates the removal of the bottle should an older child desire such release, it is uncertain whether a young infant could remove the bottle from his or her mouth without choking.

[0007] There are also instances when other baby accessory objects, such as a mobile, umbrella, pacifier, etc. must be held in relation to the infant. Typically, such accessories are designed for a single purpose, such as attachment to a baby crib in the case of a mobile. It would be particularly helpful to parents to have a means of removably positioning such accessories in relation to the baby.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a baby bottle holder and feeder which is of simple construction, relatively inexpensive, and which allows an infant or small baby to move the bottle out of position and out of its mouth when choking or no longer desiring to be fed or suck on the nipple. There is also a continuing need for a device for releasably holding baby accessories. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention resides in a device for releasably holding a baby accessory, such as a baby bottle. The present invention releasably holds such accessory with sufficient strength that the accessory is not moved by the normal operation of an automobile or stroller. However, in the instance of a bottle, a very young infant can break the connection between the device and the bottle by merely turning his or her head.

[0010] The device includes a flexible arm which is preferably articulated and comprised of a plurality of segments pivotally connected to one another. A clamp is affixed to one end of the arm which is configured to engage and attach to an existing object, such as a portion of a baby stroller or a railing of a baby crib or the like.

[0011] Typically, a hand grip is attached to an end of the arm generally opposite the clamp. A magnetic or metal member is attached to the arm or hand grip generally opposite the clamp for magnetically coupling with a magnetic or metal member associated with the baby accessory to be releasably held by the device.

[0012] The magnetic or metal member, such as a disk, may be fixed to the baby accessory by adhesive or the like. The magnetic or metal member of the device then is magnetically coupled with the magnetic or metal member of the baby accessory or bottle by bringing them into contact with one another.

[0013] Alternatively, a support may be provided which is configured to removably hold the baby accessory therein. The magnetic or metal member is fixed to such support for releasable contact with the device. Preferably, this support is configured such so as to accommodate baby accessories or bottles of different dimensions in a frictional manner. Such support can comprise a cage having resiliently flexible fingers which grasp onto the end of the baby bottle, or other accessory. In another embodiment, the support comprises a resiliently flexible sleeve which can be formed-fitted over the end of the baby bottle or accessory.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for releasably holding a baby accessory embodying the present invention, and showing an arm of the device being selectively moved between positions;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a partially exploded and fragmented perspective view of a pacifier having a magnetic or metal member attached thereto for magnet coupling with a magnetic or metal member of the device of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a clamp used in accordance with the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a enlarged perspective view of three segments of the arm of the device;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustrating the ball and socket connection therebetween;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating the segments being pivoted relative to one another in order to articulate the arm;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device clamped onto an existing object and supporting a baby bottle at the end thereof;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but utilizing a cage support magnetically coupled to the device and releasably holding the baby bottle;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sleeve support used in accordance with the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sleeve support of FIG. 9 magnetically coupled to the arm and supporting a baby bottle, shown in phantom, therein; and

[0026]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention releasably holding an umbrella.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention is directed to a device, generally referred to by the reference number 10, which is used for releasably holding an item, such as a baby accessory. Of particular importance to the invention is the fact that the device 10 forms a magnetic coupling with the baby accessory such that the baby accessory can be held in place yet removed with a small degree of force.

[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the device 10 is comprised of an arm 12 which is flexible in nature so as to be selectively positioned, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As will be more fully described herein, the arm 12 can be comprised of any material or constructed such that it can be bent and articulated to suit the needs of the user. The device 10 includes a clamp 14 which is typically attached to the end of the arm 12 for attaching the device 10 to an existing object, such as a rail of a baby crib, a child car safety seat, a stroller, a bassinet, a bedpost, an infant changing table, a chair, an infant automatic swing, or any other attachable and rigid object that is in close proximity to the infant. At the opposite end of the arm 12 is a hand grip 16 having a magnetic or metal member 18 for magnetic coupling with a magnetic or metal member 20 of a baby accessory, such as the pacifier 22 illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0029] Member 18 can comprise a magnet or metal piece, typically a disk, which is attached to the end of arm 12 or hand grip 16. Typically, member 18 comprises a magnetic disk. A member 20 is attached to the baby accessory in question, such as the illustrated pacifier 22 of FIG. 2. Member 20 is comprised of a magnetically attractive material, such as metal, or a magnet which has an opposite pole for magnetic coupling with the magnetic or metal member 18 attached to the device 10. Thus, when members 18 and 20 are brought into close contact with one another, a magnetic coupling or connection is formed therebetween so as to hold the pacifier 22, or other baby accessory, to the device 10, yet removed with little force.

[0030] With reference now to FIG. 3, the clamp 14 can be of any variety so long as it can be attached to the aforementioned objects which are in close proximity to the infant. As is commonly the case, the clamp 14 includes two lever members 24 and 26 which are pivotally connected to one another, such as by an axle 28 in traditional manner. Biasing means, such as a spring (not shown) is provided in order to maintain the clamp 14 in a closed state while at rest. First ends of the lever members 24 and 26 form handles 30 and 32 which can be pressed towards one another by an individual's thumb and fingers in order to open the clamp 14. Preferably, a grip enhancement pad or coating is disposed on the handle portions 30 and 32 to provide improved engagement with the individual's thumb or forefinger to facilitate opening of the clamp 14. At the opposite end of the lever members 24 and 26 are clamping members 36 and 38. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, such clamping members 36 and 38 are semi-cylindrical in nature so as to easily grasp upon curved or cylindrical objects, such as portions of a stroller, crib, etc. In a particularly preferred embodiment, pads 40, such as non-slick rubber pads are attached to inner surfaces of the clamping members 36 and 38 to provide a more rigid hold to slippery or shiny surfaced objects, and also to prevent marring or scratching of such surfaces. Such pads 40 can also facilitate the gripping of relatively flat objects. In a particularly preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the clamp 14 also includes an anchor 42 which is configured to receive an end of the arm 12 for secure attachment of the arm 12 to the clamp 14.

[0031] Although the clamp 14 has been illustrated and described as above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any one of a variety of clamps can be substituted for the illustrated and described clamp 14 so long as it serves the purpose of removably attaching the device 10 to a rigid and existing object.

[0032] With reference now to FIGS. 4-6, a particularly preferred construction of the arm 12 is illustrated wherein the arm 12 is comprised of a plurality of segments 44 pivotally interconnected with one another. Each segment 44 includes a ball portion 46 and a skirt portion 48. The ball portion 46′ of the segment 44′ immediately below the upper segment 44 is configured to be received within the skirt 48 of the upper segment 44 to form a ball and socket type connection. The interior surface of the skirt 48 is configured such so as to form a snap-fit with the ball 46′ of the segment 44′ to which the upper segment 44 is connected, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The curved outer surface of the ball 46-46″ and the mating inner surface of the skirt 48-48″ enables the segments 44-44″ to be pivoted or twisted so that the arm 12 can be articulated and moved to any one of a number of configurations and positions. The length of the arm 12 can be altered by including more or less segments 44. The skirt 48″ of the lowermost segment 44″ is configured to be received within anchor 42 and fixed thereto, such as by adhesive, welding, or the like.

[0033] Preferably, the segments 44 are comprised of an inexpensive, nontoxic and light-weight material, such as plastic. This enables the device 10 to be manufactured at a relatively low cost. Of course, although a preferred articulating arm 12 has been illustrated and described, it will understood by those skilled in the art that other articulating constructions or an arm 12 comprised of a material which has the flexibility characteristics required by the present invention can be substituted for the articulating arm 12 discussed herein.

[0034] With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the arm 12 preferably has a hand grip 16 attached at the end thereof generally opposite the clamp 14. This enables the user to easily grasp the device 10 and move the arm 12 to the desired configuration. The hand grip 16 is preferably comprised of a soft rubber or elastomeric material to provide comfort to the individual. Also, the grip 16 may include finger indentations 50 to facilitate grasping by the user. Of course, it will be appreciated that such hand grips 16 is not necessary, the magnetic or metal member 18 being capable of being attached directly to the end of the arm 12 to serve the same function of releasably holding a baby accessory. However, it has been found that the hand grip 50 provides comfort and ease of use of the device 10.

[0035] With reference now to FIG. 7, the device 10 of the present invention is particularly adapted for supporting a bottle 52 for hands-free feeding of a baby or infant. On the exterior bottom end of any commercially available baby bottle 52, a metal or magnetic disk 20 can be attached with either an adhesive or double-sided high strength tape or adhesive so as to hold the disk 20 securely to the bottom of the baby bottle 52 without the possibility of being loosened. The clamp 14 is secured to an existing object 54 adjacent to the baby or infant. The hand grip 16 is then grasped and the arm 12 moved into the desired position.

[0036] The bottle 52 is brought into contact with the device 10 such that members 18 and 20 form a magnetic connection or coupling therebetween. This connection allows a reasonably firm attachment to the bottom of the bottle 52 to the end of the hand grip 16. This connection also allows a very small infant or young baby to safely feed without the potential hazard of choking on the fluid which he or she is consuming. Tests have shown that it is a natural reflex for an infant to either turn its head or push the nipple 56 of the bottle 52 out of its mouth when finished feeding or whenever the infant is choking. The magnetic connection between the bottle 52 and the device 10 allows the baby to turn its head and cause the bottle 52 to be released from its magnetic connection with the device 10, or the articulated arm 12 to bend slightly and move the nipple 56 from without the baby's mouth. It will be appreciated that the parent or caretaker is allowed to stroll the baby, carry the baby in a portable carrier, drive, or attend to other functions while the baby safely feeds.

[0037] With reference now to FIG. 8, the baby bottle 52, or other baby accessory, can be held to the device 10 by other means. For example, the cage support 58 illustrated in FIG. 8 can releasably hold the bottle 52 or other baby accessory. Such a support 58 would include a plurality of resiliently flexible members 60 which would frictionally hold the baby accessory, such as the bottle 52. Thus, bottles 52 of different sizes could be held by the device 10. Also, the bottles 52 themselves would not need to have a metal or magnetic member affixed thereto. Instead, the support 58 would have the magnetic or metal member 20 which would magnetically couple with the magnetic or metal member 18 of the device 10. Conceivably, such support 58 could releasably hold not only bottles 52, but other baby accessories as well.

[0038] With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 10, another support in the form of a sleeve 62 is illustrated. The sleeve 62 can be comprised of any material which would form-fit the bottle 52 or other baby accessory. For example, the sleeves 62 could be comprised of a latex or rubber material having resilient qualities. Alternatively, the sleeve 62 could be comprised of a cloth having elastic fibers therein so as to be form-fitted over the bottle 52, as illustrated in FIG. 10, or other baby accessory. The sleeve 62 would frictionally hold the baby bottle or accessory, and could accommodate bottles 52 of different sizes. The metal or magnetic disk 20 would be attached to the sleeve 62 such that the magnetic coupling with the hand grip 16 of the arm 12 of the device 10 could be accomplished, as described above. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other support means are also within the realm of the invention, so long as they are capable of holding a baby bottle 52 or other accessory, and magnetically coupled to the device 10.

[0039] With reference now to FIG. 11, the device 10 of the present invention can form a magnetic connection to and releasably hold a number of different baby accessories, such as illustrated umbrella 64. Thus, the device 10 of the present invention can be used not only to releasably hold a bottle 52 for infant feeding, but also could hold a pacifier 22, an umbrella 64 to shade the infant when in a stroller or the like, a mobile (not shown) to entertain the infant, or any one of a number of various baby accessories.

[0040] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications of each may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for releasably holding a baby accessory, the device comprising: a flexible arm; a clamp attached to the arm; and a magnetic or metal member attached to the arm generally opposite the clamp for magnetically coupling with a magnetic or metal member associated with the baby accessory, whereby the baby accessory is releasably held to the arm.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the arm is articulated.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the arm is comprised of a plurality of segments pivotally connected to one another.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to the baby accessory.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the magnetic or metal member comprises a disc.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the baby accessory comprises a baby bottle.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to the baby bottle.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to a support configured to removably hold the baby accessory therein.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the support comprises a cage including a plurality of resiliently flexible members configured to removably hold the baby accessory therein.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the support comprises a sleeve configured to form-fit over an end of the baby accessory so as to removably hold the accessory therein.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the arm includes a hand grip.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to an end of the handgrip.
 13. A device for releasably holding a baby accessory, the device comprising: a flexible arm; a clamp attached to the arm and configured to engage an existing object; and a magnetic or metal member attached to the arm generally opposite the clamp for magnetically coupling with a magnetic or metal member associated with a baby bottle, whereby the baby bottle is releasably held to the arm.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the arm is comprised of a plurality of segments pivotally connected to one another.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the magnetic or metal member comprises a disc fixed to a lower end of the bottle.
 16. The device of claim 13, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to a support configured to removably hold the baby bottle therein.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein the arm includes a hand grip supporting the magnetic or metal member.
 18. A device for releasably holding a baby accessory, the device comprising: an articulated arm comprised of a plurality of segments pivotally connected to one another; a clamp attached to the arm and configured to engage an existing object; a hand grip attached to an end of the arm generally opposite the clamp; and a magnetic or metal member attached to the hand grip for magnetically coupling with a magnetic or metal member associated with the baby accessory, whereby the baby accessory is releasably held to the arm.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to the baby accessory.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the magnetic or metal member is fixed to a support configured to removably hold the baby accessory therein.
 21. The device of claim 18, wherein the baby accessory comprises a baby bottle. 